Mile End Stadium boss reflects on period without a game and positives of fitting in a couple of training sessions

Sporting Bengal United manager Imrul Gazi is baffled as to why his team haven’t played in the Essex Senior League since last Wednesday.

The Mile End Stadium club defeated Clapton 3-1 on October 12 with Bobby Redwood netting a brace and Jamalur Rahman also on target.

Bengal don’t play until this weekend in the first round of the FA Vase when Southall visit east London.

“The squad are a bit buoyant after the result we got against Clapton last Wednesday,” said Gazi.

“Obviously we’ve not played since and that is a bit strange because we are already playing catch up.

“The next game we play is the Vase and I think we would have liked another one in between to keep this high we’re on going.”

Although Bengal wouldn’t have asked for a 10-day break before facing Southall, it has had its positives.

It has allowed Gazi to reflect on the season so far with the rest of his management team at the east London club.

Meanwhile Bengal have struggled at times to fit in training sessions with two matches usually scheduled every week.

Therefore the short break has enabled them to get together and focus on certain areas they need to improve.

Gazi added: “The positive about this period without a game is we’ve been able to get in a few training sessions.

“We had one on Saturday and have another tonight. It’s also given us time to gather our thoughts and sit down as a management team and discuss things.

“We’ve been able to look at what is going right, our weaknesses and assess other issues and give ourselves a target for the next 10 games.”

Bengal’s success in the FA Cup and Vase has meant they’ve played less than almost every other team in the division.

Only Ilford have played 10 times – the same amount as Bengal – with most other clubs getting through 15 games or more.

Even despite the lack of fixtures in the league, Gazi’s men are not bottom with Burnham Ramblers and Haringey & Waltham Development below them.

They have eight points from 10 games and don’t play again in the division until next Tuesday (October 25) at Takeley.